Coombes Family - Rescued at Sea
Donation protected
**UPDATE - Jan 24** Thank you all so much! Your generosity has been overwhelming. The fundraising goal has been surpassed by a mile so we're closing the campaign for now. The outpouring of support has been truly incredible. - Will
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On December 21st, 2016 the Coombes family were forced to abandon Dove II, their sailboat and home, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. James, Fran, Tony, Heath, and Isla were at the beginning of their journey around the world when catastrophe struck. After saving money for years, preparing the boat for months, and having made it 3/4 of the way across the Atlantic, their rudder completely disintegrated because of heavy wind and waves. With no way to control the boat, they spent three days being punished by 4 to 6 meter waves while trying to jury rig an emergency rudder. With their repair attempts being repeatedly thwarted by the bad conditions, they were forced to abandon ship into their liferaft and be rescued by another sailboat.
The Coombes family is safe, but they have been left with nothing. They were able to take little more than the clothes on their backs when they abandoned ship. Their wordly possessions and their very home itself were left behind on Dove II. They are currently stuck in St. Martin, trying to figure out how to move forward.
While the family is currently attempting to recover the boat, the outlook is not good. The search costs as well as the future expense of re-establishing their lives are going to be enormous. Let's rally behind this wonderful young family and help them get back on their feet after this disaster.
Thank you so much.
__________
You can read all about their ordeal in detail on the multiple part series on Fran's blog: https://westerlyadventures.wordpress.com/2016/12/31/atlantic-crossing-week-3/
IMPORTANT NOTE - I (Will Marks) have received a few emails wondering who I am, as donors rightfully want to be sure that their money will be going to the right place. I was one of the crew members on Tilly Mint, the sailboat that assisted the Coombes mid-Atlantic. I created this campaign on behalf of the Coombes family and all the funds from this campaign go directly to James Coombes' bank account. Thank you for your support!
****
On December 21st, 2016 the Coombes family were forced to abandon Dove II, their sailboat and home, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. James, Fran, Tony, Heath, and Isla were at the beginning of their journey around the world when catastrophe struck. After saving money for years, preparing the boat for months, and having made it 3/4 of the way across the Atlantic, their rudder completely disintegrated because of heavy wind and waves. With no way to control the boat, they spent three days being punished by 4 to 6 meter waves while trying to jury rig an emergency rudder. With their repair attempts being repeatedly thwarted by the bad conditions, they were forced to abandon ship into their liferaft and be rescued by another sailboat.
The Coombes family is safe, but they have been left with nothing. They were able to take little more than the clothes on their backs when they abandoned ship. Their wordly possessions and their very home itself were left behind on Dove II. They are currently stuck in St. Martin, trying to figure out how to move forward.
While the family is currently attempting to recover the boat, the outlook is not good. The search costs as well as the future expense of re-establishing their lives are going to be enormous. Let's rally behind this wonderful young family and help them get back on their feet after this disaster.
Thank you so much.
__________
You can read all about their ordeal in detail on the multiple part series on Fran's blog: https://westerlyadventures.wordpress.com/2016/12/31/atlantic-crossing-week-3/
IMPORTANT NOTE - I (Will Marks) have received a few emails wondering who I am, as donors rightfully want to be sure that their money will be going to the right place. I was one of the crew members on Tilly Mint, the sailboat that assisted the Coombes mid-Atlantic. I created this campaign on behalf of the Coombes family and all the funds from this campaign go directly to James Coombes' bank account. Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Will Marks
Organizer
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